Officers claim that on May 29, when Chauvin was charged with murder in the death of George Floyd, they were asked to report to the third floor of the prison.

Prison official gives the side of the story

When Lydon was informed that Chauvin would soon go to prison on May 29, Ramsey said he decided to reassign some correctional officers to other posts, according to a statement provided by the County Sheriff’s Office.

White Chauvin and other officers knelt on black Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis. The publication of the audience video of Floyd’s death and arrest sparked nationwide protests.

“I felt that I had an urgent task to protect and support traumatized employees who had continued trauma and had to deal with Chauvin, increasing acceptance of the fact that the killing of George Floyd could cause acute racial trauma,” he said. .

“I decided to limit exposure to color workers to a murder suspect who could potentially aggravate these emotions, without being careless and worried, and without the comfort of time.”

Lydon said he changed his decision to an hour.

“Soon after I made the decision, the Correction staff voiced concerns about the change and within 45 minutes I noticed my mistake and reversed the order,” he said.

“I then talked to the people who were working at that time and explained to them what my thought process was at that time, and made sure that the decision wasn’t worried about them and was by no means concerned about their professionalism or Chauvin’s safety.”

“I made the decision and realized that I apologized to the affected employees.”

In a statement, the officers’ lawyer, Bonnie Smith, said the change came too late. “At this point, the damage was done. The shifts were reassigned, and at least one color officer who was assigned to the 5th floor at the weekend was reassigned to another floor during his detention in prison.”

According to the statement from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, while Lydon’s duties are being changed, Sheriff Bill Fletcher is reviewing the situation to see if additional action is needed.

Chauvin has been charged by prosecutors for second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree murder, for Floyd’s alleged role in May 25’s death.

Civil servants seek compensation for emotional distress

Minnesota Human Rights Communications Director Taylor Putz told CNN that state law did not allow the organization to publish discrimination or other information about a case until it was closed.

In addition, Putz said that the Ministry has not closed the case on the issue and cannot comment.

Civil servants define themselves as African American, Spanish, Pacific Islander American or mixed race.

Smith’s statement demands that steps be taken to ensure that discriminatory behavior never happens again at the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center, and that the loss of emotional distress and earnings is compensated.

Smith said that one of his clients said he was stopped in the middle of the Chauvin reservation and would not move Chauvin to his unit.

Another police officer said the color correction officers who responded to the emergency call were not allowed to complete the emergency protocol until the white officers arrived, as it involved climbing the fifth floor.

“The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office separated hardworking employees from a high-profile prisoner only because of his skin color,” Smith said. Said. “It was deeply derogatory and degrading to divide employees by race and skin color, not to mention illegally. These correction officers come to work every day to keep our community safe, and employment decisions should be made based on their performance, not the color of their skin. . “